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These people can be motivated by more selfish reasons than the normal parent or customer. There are different times when the judgment of the team parents can be clouded. We must be understanding during these high stress times but there still remains the need for mutual respect. When the child of the parent is going through a difficult time in the competitive season, the parent can be more anxious and therefore more inquisitive or challenging.

Remember, these past couple of generations have been overly protected regarding frustration and disappointment. They have also been shielded from outside discipline in many ways. This all leads to possible confrontations when the going gets tough.

These people tend to become difficult when the customer service for the program drops. These people need their calls returned in a timely manner and they need just a little bit of attention and encouragement from the staff.

Nothing can limit the problems you have with parents more than strong, fair, understanding leadership. Believe in your mission and your policies. Treat every parent consistently and stick to deadlines and procedures. Limit changes wherever possible and communicate. And be professional, in appearance as well as actions. People will respect you. Then make sure that your decisions bring success.

Pay on time, get your athlete there on time, be pleasant with the other parents, and support the coaches and staff. Parents need to support and participate in events at the gym and the efforts of the gym's fundraising.

It is not all right to berate the coaches or the program around other parents. It is not alright to pay fees late. It is not alright to be late to practice and late picking up their child. These behaviors cause others in the program problems. These behaviors need to be addressed as soon as they happen. Look the other way and you are condoning these behaviors. Others are watching too. Be strong, be firm and train the parents to do the right things to best support the program.

Yes there are behaviors that warrant expulsion from the program. Stealing, continued down-grading of the program and staff, fighting with other parents, etc. These are all pretty serious. If the parent persists, you have to protect the entire group by controlling or expelling the problem parent. Give them a chance by explaining your concerns and if they do not modify their behavior within 3 - 4 weeks, they are showing themselves the door.

Be careful not to cloud your judgment because of the child involved. The parent must behave according to the rules, regardless whether they have a wonderful child or a super star athlete. Right now, list the 2 parents that your program would be better off without. If 2 names came to mind immediately, they should have been gone a long time ago. Show your leadership, the other parents and staff will appreciate you protecting them.

If you are having trouble sleeping because of a parent or two, take action. No person in a sports program should negatively affect others. Take action and control the situation. They are the guests in the program. There are rules to live by. Take charge. Your leadership is being challenged.

This is your program. Be firm and believe in what you have built. Not everyone will be able to fit in your system. This is not a failure on your part. If you can satisfy the vast majority of the parents and customers, you are doing a terrific job.

Remember, there are some parents out there who will never be satisfied by anyone or any program. Let these selfish parents move on and mess up another program.

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